Hops named `Furano No. 18`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Hops, named Hokuto-Ace, is described, which matures rapidly, has excellent bitterness and aroma, and exhibits increased disease resistance, particularly toward downy mildew and gray mold.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of hopswhich matures rapidly, has excellent bitterness and aroma, and exhibitsincreased disease resistance, particularly toward downy mildew and graymold.

The variety is further characterized by being of relatively low height,having a reddish-purple crista color, and a main vine which isreddish-green. The cones are greenish-yellow and change to pale green asthey mature. The cone shape is elongated spheroid and large. The plant,which is plagiotropic, has a very high content of humulone and farneseneand a very low content of cohumulone.

The new plant originated from a cross-breeding in 1983 of the mother,Sorachi-ace, and father, seedling of Saaz from open pollination, atHokkaido Center, Plant Bioengineering Research Laboratories, SapporoBreweries, Ltd. Due to the hybrid character of this plant, its uniqueand valuable characteristics can be assured to be retained only throughasexual or vegetative propagation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a complete view of the new variety, Hokuto-Ace.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a mature leaf of Hokuto-Ace.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a main vine of Hokuto-Ace.

FIG. 4 is a side view of five mature cones of Hokuto-Ace.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

Sorachi-Ace is a proprietary variety developed by Sapporo (registrationpursuant to the Seed and Seedling law applied for in 1983, registered asa variety in 1984). Saaz is a general term used to refer to a group ofhop varieties originating in Czechoslovakia, which includes severalvarieties derived from Oswald Clone No. 3,172,114. It is not known whichspecific Saaz varieties were the parents of the Saaz seedling which isthe pollen parent of Furano No. 18.

The following is a detailed description of the characteristics of thenew variety as observed at the same Research Laboratory noted above.Color designations are made by reference to J.H.S. Color Chart (JapanHorticultural Scale) and R.H.S. Colour Chart (Royal HorticulturalSociety), except where common terms of color definition are employed.

The new variety was propagated and is maintained at Sapporo Breweries,Ltd., Hokkaido, Sorachi-gun, Kamifuranomachi Higashi Line 4 Number 25,Japan. The multiplication of the plant was performed by separating rootsfrom existing stock and then cultivating and propagating at the testfield.

The hops plant, "Furano No. 18", has been found to be stable and theclonal progeny of this plant have been found to be identical to theoriginal selection in all distinguishing characteristics.

The following represents a breeding history.

1983 Artificial crossing

1984 F1 breeding, selecting downy mildew resistant individuals

1985 Selecting individuals, sexing, selecting downy mildew resistant andgray mold resistant individuals

1986

Preliminary test for yield

Preliminary test for quality assessment

1987 Yield test, quality assessment test

1988 Fertility assessment test, quality assessment test

1989 Fertility assessment test, quality assessment test

1990 Selection based on alpha acid composition

1991 Selection based on essential oil composition

The finally selected plant was initially denominated "Sapporo No. 1",but has more recently been renamed "Furano No. 18", by which it will beinternationally known.

The process of selection was as follows:

    ______________________________________                                        No. individuals tested                                                                          No. individuals selected                                    ______________________________________                                        1983 Cross breeding                                                                             1345 F1 seeds obtained                                      1984 1345 seeds   143 individuals selected                                    (1089 germinated)                                                             1984 143 individuals                                                                            46 individuals selected                                     1986 46 individuals                                                                             11 individuals selected                                     1987 11 individuals                                                                             8 individuals selected                                      1988 8 individuals                                                                              8 individuals selected                                      1989 5 individuals                                                                              3 individuals selected                                      1990 2 individuals                                                                              2 individuals selected                                      1991 2 individuals                                                                              1 individual selected                                       1992 1 individuals                                                                              1 individuals selected                                      ______________________________________                                    

The novel plant of this invention was under final test and observationfor two and one-half years; a period from April 1990 to September 1992,at which time the selection had been multiplied to a populationsufficient to occupy five acres.

The plant of this invention is an early ripening variety-mesophytictype, suited for cultivation in Hokkaido and the northern area ofTohoku, and is suitable for large scale mechanical picking. Growths aremedium in thickness and the height is low. It is resistant against downymildew and gray mold, is easy to cultivate and has an excellent qualityas it contains very little cohumulone, which includes α-acids, a maincomponent of bitterness, but much humulone and farnesene.

The new variety is particularly suitable for growing in Hokkaido, thenorthern part of Tohoku. This variety is also advantageous as itrequires no excessive growth control as is the case with Shinshu-wase,the predominant species. The new variety also requires no lowering ofvines or picking of primary side branches.

The morphological characteristics of the new variety are describedhereinbelow, and are summarized in Table 1 following thereafter.

The general growth form of the new variety is clavate, with the matureplant being of medium height. The color of the young shoots is(ISCC-NBS) reddish-purple with the angle of the shoot to the groundbeing squint. The main vine is (ISCC-NBS) reddish-green in color withthe crista color being (ISCC-NBS) reddish purple.

As used herein, the term "squint" denotes a range of angles of the stemto soil of between 30° and 70°. The term "creeping" refers to a range ofangles of from 0° to 30°, and the term "straight" refers to a range ofangles between 70° and 90°. The term "crista" denotes the lineconnecting the six angles on a cross-section of the hexagonal stem ofthe plant.

The degree of twining of the main vine is medium with a glabrate degreeof node hair. The length of the internode is medium with a medium numberof nodes.

The length of the internode provided is for the internode atapproximately 1.5 m. from the ground for a vine which has reached aheight of 2.75 m. An internode of under 30 cm. is "short"; from 30-40cm. is "medium"; and 40 cm. or more is "long". The internode of FuranoNo. 18 averages 35 cm., with the range being from 29-49 cm., and istherefor of "medium" length.

The lateral branching of the new variety is medium in length with amedium degree of branching. The location of inflorescence is at thetertiary branch with the density of inflorescence being medium to dense.The storm resistance of the lateral branching is medium to strong.

The increased extent of lateral branching of Furano No. 18 appears to bean inherent feature of the plant. Shinshu-wase, by comparison requiresbending of the stem so that the vine will grow laterally and/or clippingof the upper stem in order to stop vertical growth and promote lateralgrowth, so that the cones on the branches below will be exposed tosunlight. Due to the typically excessive growth at the top portion ofthe vines of Shinshu-wase, the cones below are shaded. Because of theincreased external lateral branching in Furano No. 18, the foregoingmeasures are not necessary to expose the lower cones to sunlight.

As used herein, the word "medium" when used to describe the length oflateral branching denotes a length of between 60 and 140 cm. The averagelength or lateral branching of the present plant is 135 cm., with arange of between 110 to 165 cm. Thus, it is "medium" in length. The term37 short" is used to denote the range of lengths up to 60 cm., and"long" denotes a range of from 140 cm. and over. The "degree ofbranching" is estimated by visual observation as is the "density ofinflorescence".

The leaves are (ISCC-NBS) light-green in color when young, and remain sowhen mature. The leaves have a palmate blade form with seven lobes. Thesinus cleft has a medium depth and the marginal serrations are of aserrated form. The form of the blade base is close.

The color of the young leaves and the mature leaves is "darkyellow-green" which is 3508 on the B.H.S./J.H.S. Color Chart.

The cones are yellowish-green (ISCC-NBS) in color and are of anelongated spheroid form. They are large in size. The number of blactsand blacteroles is medium and the cone weight is also medium. The numberof cones per vine and the weight ratio of cones to foliage and vine mayeach be characterized as medium.

The blacts are (ISCC-NBS) yellowish-green in color and are of an ovalform. The tip form is acute with a medium length. The length to widthratio is medium.

The blacteroles are of a (ISCC-NBS) yellowish-green color and are ovateto ellipsoid in form. They are medium in length with a medium length towidth ratio.

The strigs are of medium thickness with a medium density of flowers. Thelupulin is (ISCC-NBS) yellow in color and medium in size. The lupulinblacteroles are medium to abundant in number.

The new variety exhibits a mid-stage of flowering, with cone productionalso occurring at mid-stage. Ripening also occurs at mid-stage.

The new variety is, as noted above, disease-resistant and is, inparticular, resistant to downy mildew. In more detail, the stem isresistant, the leaf is mildly resistant and the cone is resistant. Thenew variety is also stunt disease resistant.

The new variety has a resin content such that a medium content of resinsmay be noted. It has a medium content of α-acids with a medium to highβ-fraction. The new variety has a medium content of hard resins with ahigh ratio of β-fraction to α-acids. The stragebility of α-acids ismedium.

The α-acid constituents may be described as follows. The humulonecontent is very high, while the cohumulone content and adhumulonecontent are each low. The new variety, thus, has excellent bitterness.

The new variety also exhibits a medium degree of aroma, with a mediumcontent of essential oils.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                        Item   Categories Observed                                                    Number Item          Classification                                           ______________________________________                                        MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS                                                 I-1    General Growth                                                                              2 = fusiform, 4 = columnar,                                     Form          6 = clavate, 8 = capitate                                                     2 4 6 8                                                  I-2    Height        3 = low, 5 = medium, 7 = high                                                 3 5 7                                                    I-3    Young Shoots                                                           I-3-1  Color         2 = yellow, 3 = yellowish green,                                              4 = green, 5 = reddish green,                                                 6 = red, 7 = reddish purple,                                                  8 = purple                                                                    2 3 4 5 6 7 8                                            I-3-2  Angle of Shoot                                                                              3 = creeping, 5 = squint,                                       to Ground     7 = straight                                                                  3 5 7                                                    I-4    Main Vine                                                              I-4-1  Color         (legend same as I-3-1)                                                        2 3 4 5 6 7 8                                            I-4-2  Color of Crista                                                                             (legend same as I-3-1)                                                        2 3 4 5 6 7 8                                            I-4-3  Degree of     3 = weak, 5 = medium,                                           Twining       7 =  strong                                                                   3 5 7                                                    I-4-4  Degree of Hair                                                                              1 = glabrate, 2 = very few                                      of Node       3 = few, 4 = few to medium,                                                   5 = medium, 6 = medium to                                                     abundant, 7 = abundant,                                                       8 = very abundant                                                             1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8                                          I-4-5  Length of     3 = short, 5 = medium, 7 = long                                 Internode     3 5 7                                                    I-4-6  Number of Nodes                                                                             3 = few, 5 = medium,                                                          7 = abundant                                                                  3 5 7                                                    I-5    Lateral Branch                                                         I-5-1  Length        3 = short, 5 = medium, 7 = long                                               3 5 7                                                    I-5-2  Degree of     3 = few, 5 = medium, 7 = many                                   Branching     3 5 7                                                    I-5-3  Location of   3 = main vine, 4 = priamry                                      Inflorescence branch, 5 = secondary branch,                                                 6 = tertiary branch, 7 =                                                      >fourth branch                                                                3 4 5 6  7                                               I-5-4  Density of    2 = very sparse, 3 = sparse,                                    Inflorescence 4 = sparse to medium,                                                         5 = medium, 6 = medium to                                                     dense, 7 = dense, 8 = very                                                    dense                                                                         2 3 4 5 6 7 8                                            I-5-5  Storm Resistance                                                                            2 = very weak, 3 = weak,                                                      4 = weak to medium,                                                           5 = medium, 6 = medium to                                                     strong, 7 = strong, 8 = very                                                  strong                                                                        2 3 4 5 6 7 8                                            I-6    Leaves                                                                 I-6-1  Color                                                                  I-6-1-1                                                                              Young Leaves  3 = yellow, 4 = pale yellow                                                   green, 5 = light green,                                                       6 = green, 7 = vivid green,                                                   8 = deep green                                                                3 4 5 6 7 8                                              I-6-1-2                                                                              Mature Leaves (legend same as 1-6-1-1)                                                      3 4 5 6 7 8                                              I-6-2  Form                                                                   I-6-2-1                                                                              Blade Form    3 = cordate, 5 = medium,                                                      7 = palmate                                                                   3 5 7                                                    I-6-2-2                                                                              Number of Lobes                                                                             1 = 0, 3 = 3, 5 = 5, 7 = 7, 9 = 8<                                            1 3 5 7 9                                                I-6-2-3                                                                              Depth of Sinus                                                                              3 = shallow, 4 = shallow to                                     Cleft         medium, 5 = medium,                                                           6 = medium to deep, 7 = deep                                                  3 4 5 6 7                                                I-6-2-4                                                                              Form of Marginal                                                                            3 = denate, 5 = medium,                                         Serrations    7 = serrate                                                                   3 5 7                                                    I-6-2-5                                                                              Form of Blade 3 = open, 5 = medium,                                           Base          7 = close                                                                     3 5 7                                                    I-6-3  Size                                                                   I-6-3-1                                                                              Length of Blade                                                                             3 = short, 5 = medium, 7 = long                                               3 5 7                                                    I-6-3-2                                                                              Length Ratio of                                                                             3 = low, 5 = medium, 7 = high                                   Blade to Petiole                                                                            3 5 7                                                    I-7    Cones                                                                  I-7-1  Color         3 = greenish yellow,                                                          4 = yellowish green, 5 = green,                                               6 = vivid green, 7 = deep green                                               3 4 5 6 7                                                I-7-2  Form          2 = round, 3 = ovate, 4 = oval,                                               5 = elongated spheroid,                                                       6 = elongated ovate, 7 = oblong                                               2 3 4 5 6 7                                              I-7-3  Size          2 = very small, 3 = small,                                                    4 = small to medium,                                                          5 = medium, 6 = medium to                                                     large, 7 = large, 8 = very large                                              2 3 4 5 6 7 8                                            I-7-4  Number of Blacts                                                                            3 = few, 5 = medium, 7 = many                                   and Blacteoles                                                                              3 5 7                                                    I-7-5  100 Cone Weight                                                                             3 = light, 5 = medium, 7 = heavy                                              3 5 7                                                    I-7-6  Number of Cones                                                                             3 = few, 5 = medium, 7 = many                                   per Vine      3 5 7                                                    I-7-7  Weight Ratio of                                                                             3 = low, 5 = medium, 7 = high                                   Cones to Foliage                                                              and Vine      3 5  7                                                   I-8    Blacts                                                                 I-8-1  Color         3 = greenish yellow,                                                          4 = yellowish green, 5 = green,                                               6 = vivid green, 7 = deep green                                               3 4 5 6 7                                                I-8-2  Form          3 = oblate, 4 = cordate, 5 = oval,                                            6 = obovate, 7 = ellipsoid,                                                   8 = lancelate                                                                 3 4 5 6 7 8                                              I-8-3  Form of Tips  3 = acute, 5 = subacutely,                                                    7 = acuminate                                                                 3 5 7                                                    I-8-4  Length        3 = short, 5 = medium, 7 = long                                               3 5 7                                                    I-8-5  Length to Width                                                                             3 = low, 5 = medium, 7 = high                                   Ratio         3 5 7                                                    I-9    Blacteoles                                                             I-9-1  Color         3 = greenish yellow,                                                          4 = yellowish green, 5 = green,                                               6 = vivid green, 7 = deep green                                               3 4 5 6 7                                                I-9-2  Form          3 = ovate, 4 = ovate to ellipsoid,                                            5 = ellipsoid, 6 = oblong                                                     3 4 5 6                                                  I-9-3  Length        3 = short, 5 = medium, 7 = long                                               3 5 7                                                    I-9-4  Length to     3 = low, 5 = medium, 7 = high                                   Width Ratio   3 5 7                                                    I-10   Strigs                                                                 I-10-1 Thickness     2 = very thin, 3 = thin, 4 = thin to                                          medium, 5 = medium,                                                           6 = medium to thin, 7 = thick,                                                8 = very thick                                                                2 3 4 5 6 7 8                                            I-10-2 Density of    3 = sparse, 4 = sparse to                                       Flowers       medium, 5 = medium,                                                           6 = medium to dense, 7 = dense                                                3 4 5 6 7                                                I-11   Lupulin                                                                I-11-1 Color         3 = pale yellow, 5 = yellow,                                                  7 = orange                                                                    3 5 7                                                    I-11-2 Size          3 = small, 4 = small to medium,                                               5 = medium, 6 = medium to                                                     large, 7 = large                                                              3 4 5 6 7                                                I-11-13                                                                              Blacteoles    2 = very few, 3 = few, 4 = few to                                             medium, 5 = medium,                                                           6 = medium to abundant,                                                       7 = abundant, 8 = very abundant                                               2 3 4 5 6 7 8                                            ______________________________________                                        Categories Observed                                                           Cultivation Site Control Species                                              Item   (for reference)                                                        Number Shinshu-wase  Furano-ace Sorachi-ace                                   ______________________________________                                        MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS                                                 I-1    8             6          4                                             I-2    7             3          3                                             I-3                                                                           I-3-1  7             7          7                                             I-3-2  5             5          5                                             I-4                                                                           I-4-1  5             5          4                                             I-4-2  7             6          5                                             I-4-3  5             5          5                                             I-4-4  5             1          1                                             I-4-5  5             5          5                                             I-4-6  5             5          5                                             I-5                                                                           I-5-1  5             5          5                                             I-5-2  5             5          5                                             I-5-3  6             6          6                                             I-5-4  6             5          4                                             I-5-5  5             5          6                                             I-6                                                                           I-6-1                                                                         I-6-1-1                                                                              5             5          5                                             I-6-1-2                                                                              5             6          6                                             I-6-2                                                                         I-6-2-1                                                                              7             7          7                                             I-6-2-2                                                                              5             5          5                                             I-6-2-3                                                                              6             5          5                                             I-6-2-4                                                                              7             7          7                                             I-6-2-5                                                                              5             5          7                                             I-6-3                                                                         I-6-3-1                                                                              5             5          3                                             I-6-3-2                                                                              5             5          5                                             I-7                                                                           I-7-1  4             5          5                                             I-7-2  5             5          4                                             I-7-3  5             5          5                                             I-7-4  5             5          3                                             I-7-5  5             5          5                                             I-7-6  5             3          5                                             I-7-7  5             5          5                                             I-8                                                                           I-8-1  4             5          5                                             I-8-2  5             7          5                                             I-8-3  3             3          5                                             I-8-4  5             7          5                                             I-8-5  5             3          3                                             I-9                                                                           I-9-1  4             5          5                                             I-9-2  4             5          3                                             I-9-3  5             5          5                                             I-9-4  5             5          3                                             I-10                                                                          I-10-1 5             6          5                                             I-10-2 5             6          6                                             I-11                                                                          I-11-1 5             5          5                                             I-11-2 5             5          6                                             I-11-13                                                                              5             5          6                                             ______________________________________                                        Item   Categories Observed                                                    Number Item          Classification                                           ______________________________________                                        ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS                                                    II-1   Maturity                                                               II-1-1 Stage of Flowering                                                                          3 = very early, 4 = early,                                                    5 = mid, 6 = late, 7 = very late                                              3 4 5 6 7                                                II-1-2 Stage of Producing                                                                          3 = very early, 4 = early,                                      Cones         5 = mid, 6 = late, 7 = very late                                              3 4 5 6 7                                                II-1-3 Ripening      3 = very early, 4 = early,                                                    5 =  mid, 6 = late, 7 = very late                                             3 4 5 6 7                                                II-2   Disease Resistance                                                     II-2-1 Downy Mildew                                                           II-2-1-1                                                                             Stem          3 = susceptlible, 4 = mildly                                                  susceptible, 5 = moderate,                                                    6 = midly resistant,                                                          7 = resistant                                                                 3 4 5 6 7                                                II-2-1-2                                                                             Leaf          3 = susceptible, 4 = mildly                                                   susceptible, 5 = moderate,                                                    6 = mildly resitant,                                                          7 = resistant                                                                 3 4 5 6 7                                                II-2-1-3                                                                             Cone          3 = susceptible, 4 = mildly                                                   susceptible, 5 = moderate,                                                    6 = mildly resitant,                                                          7 = resistant                                                                 3 4 5 6 7                                                II-2-2 Stunt Disease 3 = susceptible, 4 = mildly                                                   susceptible, 5 = moderate,                                                    6 = mildly resistant,                                                         7 = resistant                                                                 3 4 5 6 7                                                II-3   Insect Resistance                                                      II-4   Content of Resins                                                      II-4-1 Total Resins  3 = low, 5 = medium, 7 = high,                                                9 = very high                                                                 3 5 7 9                                                  II-4-2 α Acids 4 = low, 5 = medium,                                                          6 = medium to high, 7 = high,                                                 8 = very high                                                                 4 5 6 7 8                                                II-4-3 β Fraction                                                                             4 = low, 5 = medium,                                                          6 = medium to high, 7 = high,                                                 8 = very high                                                                 4 5 6 7 8                                                II-4-4 Hard Resins   3 = low, 5 = medium, 7 = high                                                 3 5 7                                                    II-4-5 Ratio of β Fraction                                                                    3 = low, 5 = medium, 7 = high                                   to α Acids                                                                            3 5 7                                                    II-4-6 Stragebility of α                                                                     3 = bad, 5 = medium, 7 = good                                   Acids         3 5 7                                                    II-4-7 Constituents of α                                                       Acids                                                                  II-4-7-1                                                                             Humulone      3 = low, 5 = medium, 7 = high,                                                9 = very high                                                                 3 5 7 9                                                  II-4-7-2                                                                             Cohumulone    3 = low, 5 = medium, 7 = high                                                 3 5 7                                                    II-4-7-3                                                                             Adhumulone    3 = low, 5 = medium, 7 = high                                                 3 5 7                                                    II-5   Degree of Aroma                                                        II-5-1 Degree of Aroma                                                                             3 = mild, 4 = mild to medium,                                                 5 = medium, 6 = medium to                                                     heavy, 7 = heavy                                                              3 4 5 6 7                                                II-5-2 Content of    3 = low, 5 = medium, 7 = high                                   Essential Oils                                                                              3 5 7                                                    ______________________________________                                        Categories Observed                                                           Cultivation Site Control Species                                              Item   (for reference)                                                        Number Shinshu-wase  Furano-ace Sorachi-ace                                   ______________________________________                                        ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS                                                    II-1                                                                          II-1-1 6             4          5                                             II-1-2 6             4          6                                             II-1-3 6             5          5                                             II-2                                                                          II-2-1                                                                        II-2-1-1                                                                             5             7          7                                             II-2-1-2                                                                             5             6          6                                             II-2-1-3                                                                             5             7          7                                             II-2-2 5             --         --                                            II-3                                                                          II-4                                                                          II-4-1 5             5          7                                             II-4-2 5             5          8                                             II-4-3 5             5          5                                             II-4-4 5             5          5                                             II-4-5 5             5          3                                             II-4-6 5             5          5                                             II-4-7                                                                        II-4-7-1                                                                             5             9          9                                             II-4-7-2                                                                             7             3          3                                             II-4-7-3                                                                             3             3          3                                             II-5-1 5             5          5                                             II-5-2 5             5          5                                             ______________________________________                                    

In Table 2 hereinbelow are represented trial data generated for years1990, 1991 and 1992.

This Table features a comparison from among the new variety and threecomparison species: Shinshu-wase, Furano-ace and Sorachi-ace.

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                        A. Growth Characteristics                                                                            Applied-for                                                          Year of  Species                                                Survey Items  Survey   (Sappro #1)                                            ______________________________________                                        Young Shoots  `90      May 1                                                                `91      April 30                                                             `92      May 11                                                 Second Stage  `90      June 22                                                              `91      June 14                                                              `92      June 23                                                Efforescence  90       July 10                                                              `91      July 13                                                              `92      July 15                                                Fruit Formation                                                                             `90      July 18                                                              `91      July 31                                                              `92      July 25                                                Maturation    `90      August 21                                                            `91      August 26                                                            `92      August 24                                              Foliage       `90      medium                                                               `91      medium dense                                                         `92      medium dense                                           Weight Gain   `90      140                                                    (kg/10a)      `91      181                                                                  `92      185                                                    DISEASE                                                                       RESISTANCE                                                                    Downy         `90      Strong                                                 Mildew        `91      Strong                                                               `92      Strong                                                 Gray          `90      med. to strong                                         Mold          `91      med to strong                                                        `92      med. to strong                                         ______________________________________                                                 Comparison Species                                                   Survey Items                                                                             Shinshu-wase                                                                              Furano-ace Sorachi-ace                                 ______________________________________                                        Young Shoots                                                                             April 30    April 30   April 30                                               April 28    April 26   April 27                                               May 7       May 6      May 6                                       Second Stage                                                                             June 26     26         June 22                                                June 13     15         June 14                                                June 20     22         June 20                                     Efflorescence                                                                            July 15     July 5     July 12                                                July 23     July 2     July 10                                                July 23     July 12    July 15                                     Fruit Formation                                                                          July 28     July 16    July 23                                                August 7    July 20    August 1                                               August 6    July 26    July 30                                     Maturation August 26   August 16  August 25                                              September 6 August 18  August 25                                              September 2 August 26  August 30                                   Foliage    medium      medium     dense                                                  medium      medium     dense                                                  med. to     medium     dense                                                  dense                                                              Weight Gain                                                                              130         144        153                                         (kg/10a)   170         144        165                                                    197         164        203                                         DISEASE                                                                       RESISTANCE                                                                    Downy      Average     Strong     Strong                                      Mildew     Average     Strong     Strong                                                 Average     Strong     Strong                                      Gray       Average     med. to    med. to                                     Mold                   strong     strong                                                 Average     med. to    med. to                                                            strong     strong                                                 Average     med. to    med. to                                                            strong     strong                                      ______________________________________                                        B. Quality Survey                                                                                    Applied-for                                                          Year of  Species                                                Survey Items  Survey   (Sappro #1)                                            ______________________________________                                        α Acids (Dry %)                                                                       `90      6.9                                                                  `91      6.0                                                                  `92      6.8                                                    β Acids (Dry %)                                                                        ` 90     9.6                                                                  `91      9.7                                                                  `92      6.5                                                    α/β Comparison                                                                   `90      0.72                                                                 `91      0.62                                                                 `92      1.05                                                   αAcid                                                                   COMPOSITION                                                                   COMPARISON                                                                    Cohumulone    `90      22                                                     (Wt. %)       `91      21                                                                   `92      24                                                     Humulone      `90      78                                                     (Wt. %)       `91      79                                                                   `92      76                                                     ESSENTIAL                                                                     OIL                                                                           CONTENT                                                                       Humulene      `90      22.8                                                   (Dry %)       `91      24.1                                                                 `92      25.6                                                   Caryophyllene `90      9.6                                                    (Dry %)       `91      10.2                                                                 `92      11.5                                                   Hum/Ca Ratio  `90      2.4                                                    (Dry %)       `91      2.4                                                                  `92      2.2                                                    Farnesene     `90      27.4                                                   (Dry %)       `91      15.8                                                                 `92      9.4                                                    Myrcen        `90      23.9                                                   (Dry %)       `91      11.4                                                                 `92      34.5                                                   Aroma         `90      Good                                                                 `91                                                                           `92                                                             ______________________________________                                                 Comparison Species                                                   Survey Items                                                                             Shinshu-wase                                                                              Furano-ace Sorachi-ace                                 ______________________________________                                        α Acids (Dry %)                                                                    5.6         5.3        12.6                                                   6.9         4.7        12.2                                                   5.6         5.7        12.9                                        β Acids (Dry %)                                                                     5.4         7.7        7.9                                                    7.8         7.4        8.2                                                    6.2         7.7        7.4                                         α/β Comparison                                                                1.04        0.69       1.59                                                   0.88        0.64       1.49                                                   0.92        0.74       1.74                                        α  ACID                                                                 COMPOSITION                                                                   COMPARISON                                                                    Cohumulone 48          25         25                                          (Wt %)     48          26         29                                                     47          24         28                                          Humulone   52          75         75                                          (Wt. %)    52          74         71                                                     53          76         72                                          ESSENTIAL                                                                     OIL                                                                           CONTENT                                                                       Humulene   22.8        24.2       33.7                                        (Dry %)    17.7        18.6       27.4                                                   21.7        21.3       24.1                                        Caryophyllene                                                                            9.9         14.3       11.2                                        (Dry %)    9.1         9.4        9.7                                                    10.3        9.4        8.1                                         Hum/Ca Ratio                                                                             2.2         1.7        3.0                                         (Dry %)    2.0         2.0        2.8                                                    2.1         2.3        3.0                                         Farnesene  0.7         20.1       6.3                                         (Dry %)    0.7         20.1       6.3                                         Nycren     31.4        17.1       28.6                                        (Dry %)    30.3        20.9       34.4                                                   23.7        35.4       43.3                                        Aroma      Average     Good       Good                                        ______________________________________                                    

Following is a detailed description of additional botanical andanalytical chemical characteristics of the new variety. Thesecharacteristics depend to some extent upon cultural practices andclimatic conditions and can vary with location and season.

                  TABLE 3                                                         ______________________________________                                        A.  Color Characteristics                                                     Fall color characteristics are unknown because the leaves                     are totally removed and destroyed during the harvesting                       procedure. Using the J.H.S. color chart, the following color                  characteristics for FURANO NO. 18 have been determined:                           Leaf upper surface: 3508 dark yellow green                                    Leaf lower surface: n/a                                                       Bine background: 3507 dark yellow green                                       Bine stripe: 0406 bright red                                                  Cone bracteole: 3505 bright yellow green                                      Cone bract: 3505 bright yellow green                                          Sidearm stem: n/a                                                             Sidearm stripe: (if red) - n/a                                                Sidearm stripe: (if green) - n/a                                          B.  Analytical Data of Cones                                                      % Alpha acids (bale)*: 6.0 to 6.9 (EBC spectro-photometric                    method)                                                                       % Beta acids (bale)*: 6.3 to 9.8 (EBC spectro-photometric                     method)                                                                       Alpha/beta ratio*: 0.95 to 1.65                                               Cohumulone (% of alpha acids): average 22.0                                   Colupulone (% of beta acids): average n/a                                     Storage characteristics*: average 44.0% transformation                        after 6 months at 20 degrees C.                                               Total oils (ml/100° g.)**: average 1.2                                 Humulene (% of total oils): average 24.2                                      Caryophyllene (% of total oils): avergae 10.4                                 Humulene/caryophyllene ratio: average 2.3                                     Farnesene (% of total oils): average 17.5                                     Myrcene (% of total oils): average 23.3                                       Lupulin (% of total cone weight)**: average not                               established                                                               C.  Analytical Data of Lupulin                                                    % Alpha acids: Average (not established)                                      % Beta acids: Average (not established)                                   ______________________________________                                         *Analytical data for alpha and beta acids determinded on hops with 0.0%       cone moisture.                                                                **Analytical data determined on hops with approxiamtely 5% cone moisture.

The present new variety of hops may be advantageously used as a rawmaterial in the production of beer.

What is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of hops plant,substantially as described and claimed herein.